Abstract
Effective well integrity management (WIM), properly implemented, achieves much more than its core aim of "reducing the risk of uncontrolled release of well fluids to the environment". Wells with ineffectively managed integrity issues result in significant and avoidable levels of well shut-ins and expensive workovers. State-of-the-art WIM software enables evaluation of well data in real-time to identify symptoms of developing issues, and by so doing, also enables proactive steps to be taken to prevent. The outcome is that the need for shut-in or other remedial action is reduced and in some cases sufficient evidence can be provided to confirm that the well is safe to continue in operation.
The same WIM software can also use a real-time risk evaluation to identify the most critical wells requiring specific attention, and in so doing prevent the need for shut-in, or defer intervention safely. The net outcome is that support is given for optimal, right-time decision making – more wells are available for production, risks are minimized (by mitigating problems in the wells with highest risk), and costs are kept to a minimum by prioritizing well activities. Overall production rates are significantly enhanced and overall costs are reduced.
This paper uses a series of examples of the common types of well integrity (WI) issue that can impact production to discuss how the above improvements can be realized. The examples covered in the body of the paper are: sustained annulus pressure, tubing corrosion and scaling. WI issues are also indicators of potentially disruptive production problems in the event of a leak or blow-out. While these risks cannot be fully overcome, they can be mitigated with comprehensive WIM. An observation is made that many WI issues go undiagnosed or undetected and this paper focuses on the importance of data as the input to drive effective monitoring. WI issues have significant potential impacts on production and cannot be treated in isolation. Advanced WIM technology enables the identification and diagnosis of integrity problems and must be considered for production optimization and cost reduction initiatives to be effective.
